Sheet feeding and counting apparatus



H. P. BECK SHEET FEEDING AND COUNTING APPARATUS June. 18, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 23, 1954 INVENTOR. 'HAROLD P. Bscx m 7 4/4 ATTORNEY June 18, 1957 H. P. BECK 2,796,258

SHEET FEEDING AND COUNTING APPARATUS Filed July 23, 1954 2 Shee'ts-Sheet 2 [N VEN TOR HA ROLD. R BECK A TTORNE Y United States Patent SHEET FEEDING AND COUNTING APPARATUS Hamid P. Beck, Brooklyn, N. Y., assignor to Burroughs Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Application July 23, 1954, Serial No. 445,280

6 Claims. (Cl. 271-29) This invention relates to sheet feeding apparatus of the type in which sets of suction ports are presented successively to the exit of a sheet hopper or magazine, and it relates particularly to control means whereby the sheets may be fed selectively from the hopper and counted as they are fed.

Sheet feeding apparatus of the aforesaid type customarily is designed to feed a sheet as a matter of course each time a set of suction ports is presented to the magazine or hopper containing the sheets. In some instances, however, one may desire to move the suction ports past the hopper without feeding a sheet therefrom. To accomplish a function of this nature it formerly was necessary to provide a large amount of valve and chamber structure. This naturally resulted in an undesirable increase in the size and weight of the sheet feeding mechanism, making it bulky and expensive. Moreover, the problem of maintaining a count of the sheets fed by mechanisms of this type was increased. Counters of varying types which were provided to operate under such conditions proved inaccurate and therefore unsatisfactory.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved sheet feeding apparatus in which suction ports are presented successively to the feed exit of a magazine and in which a novel valve mechanism selectively renders each set of suction ports effective or inelfective according to whether or not a sheet is to be fed.

Another object is to achieve simplicity in the design of the structure just described so that it can readily be incorporated in a small, compact, light-weight mechanism, preferably in the form of a rotary sheet feeder.

A further object is to provide a novel actuator for a sheet counter especially adapted for use in the mechanism just described to afford an accurate count of the sheets fed, this counter actuator being responsive to changes in the air pressure caused by the feeding of sheets.

Other objects of the invention will be pointed out in the accompanying description and claims and illustrated in the drawings, which disclose, by way of example, the principle of the invention and the best mode, which has been contemplated, of applying that principle.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a sheet feeding and counting mechanism constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention and showing certain parts cut away to provide a clearer view of the internal structure,

Fig. 2 is a reduced view of the sheet feeding and counting mechanism positioned in association with a sheet hopper or magazine,

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1, with a portion of the structure cut away to illustrate the valve and its actuating member,

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the mechanism, taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, there is. disclosed a sheet feeding mechanism generally identified by the nubers 58 (Figs. 3 and 4).

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2 meral 9 having a stationary inner drum 10, which is supported by suitable holding means (not shown) cooperating with the drum hub 12. The drum 10 has hollow portions separated by two webs 14 and a third web 15 (Fig. 3) extending from the hub 12 and connected with the bearing rim 16 and the side 18, see Figs. 1 and 4. Looking at Fig. 3 it will be seen that the web 15 is larger than the webs 14. Defined within this larger web 15 is a suction conduit or suction chamber 20. Chamber 20 opens at its one end onto the rim 16 and extends downwardly and laterally at its other end through the hub 12. A suitable source of low pressure may be applied to the open hub end of the chamber 20 to create a vacuum or suction therein.

Mounted crosswise in the chamber 20 is a valve mechanism consisting basically of three flat members or plates 22, 24 and 26 which are superimposed upon each other. The members 22, 24 and 26 are fitted in a valve housing 28 defined in the enlarged web 15, Fig. 3. The two outer valve plates 22 and 26 are fixed against movement in the housing 28, while the middle valve plate 24 is movable therebetween. The middle valve plate 24 is movable to an on position in which the valve openings 30 (Figs. 1 and 3) therein are aligned with valve openings 31 in the plates 22 and 26, thereby opening the passageway 20, or to an off position in which the openings 30 therein are moved out of alignment with the openings 31 in plates 22 and 26 to block or close the passageway 20.

A valve operator in the form of a solenoid 32 is held to the inside of the side member 18 between one of the webs 14 and the web 15 by the screws 34. Pivotally mounted on a portion of the enlarged web 15 is a crank lever 36. One end of the lever 36 fits within an aperture 38 in the movable plate .24 while the other end 'of the lever is attached to and pivoted by the armature 40 of the solenoid 32. The crank lever 36 is normally held away from the solenoid 32 by spring 42, which is connected to the lever 36 and to an extension of the enlarged web 15.

From what has been described it will be clear that the middle valve plate 24 normally is urged to align the valve openings 30 therein with those of the adjacent fixed plates 22 and 26. In this position of the middle plate 24, suction applied at the hub end of the suction chamber 20 will be communicated to the outer surface of the rim 16 of the drum 10. However, when it is desired to block or cut off the suction from the rim 16 of the chamber 20 without stopping or affecting the suction applied to the hub end of the chamber, the solenoid 32 .is energized. 'The armature 40 thereupon is attracted by the solenoid 32 to pivot the crank lever 36 in opposition to the pull of spring 42. The middle valve plate v24 is, in turn, caused to slide between the two adjacent fixed plates 22 and 26 to move the valve openings 30 out of alignment with the valve openings 31. Thus, although suction continues to be applied to the chamber 20 at the hub end 12, if the valve openings 30 and 31 are not aligned, such suction will not be applied to the end of the chamber 20 which opens onto the rim 16 of the drum 10.

Mounted for rotation about the inner stationary drum 10 is the outer drum 44. Drum 44 is keyed to a power driven shaft 46 which has an end mounted in a bearing 48 disposed in a central recess 50 that is afforded in the drug 10, see Fig. 4. The side flange 52, Figs. 1 and 4, connects the hub 54 With the cylindrical portion 56 of the drum 44. The cylindrical portion 56 is substantially I-shaped in cross-section (Fig. l) to reduce its mass. However, insome parts of the cylindrical portion 56 the center Web of the I is interrupted to provide suction cham- These chambers 58 communicate on one side with ports 60 opening onto the outer surface of drum 44, and on their other sides the chambers 58 open onto the inner surface of drum 44.

In operation, the sheet feeding mechanism 9 is situated beneath a sheet hopper or magazine 68 (Fig. 2). A constant, source of suction is applied to the chamber 20,

Figs. 3 and 4, through the hub 12 of"dfum 10. As the outer drum 44 rot ates the chambers 58 therein are successively rotated into communication with the stationary chamber 20. When the valve 24 'is open or .on, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, suction will be applied to the particular one of'the rotating chambers 58 that happens to be communicating with the stationary chamber 20 at that time. Through the selected chamber 58 the suction is communicated to the ports 60 which open out from this chamber 58. Chamber 20 is positioned beneath the hopper 68, so thatas the chambers 58 and their respective ports 60 successively rotate intofcommunication with the chamber 20 they will at the same time pass the exit of thesheet hopper 68. If the valve 24 is open at the instant when a set of ports 60 is passing beneath the hopper 68, the bottom sheet will be sucked out of the hopper 68 and will be held against the drum 44 by the ripheral surface of the inner drum 10. The grooves 74 extend from the leading side of the chamber 20, relative to the direction of rotation of the outer drum 44. They are made suitable in length and size to transmit the applied suction effectively to each rotating chamber 58 substantially to the point where it is desired that the sheets be stripped from the drum 44.

The feeding of each sheet from the hopper 68 is registered on a'counter 76 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is mounted adjacent to the drum 44. The counter 76 may be supported by any suitable means (not shown). Projecting from the counter 76 is an actuating shaft 78, on the end of which is mounted a star wheel 80, Fig. 1. As shown in the drawing, the star wheel 80 has four spokes, but this number can be varied. By turning the star wheel 80 through the approximate angular distance between successive spokes, a single count may be registered on the counter 76.

In each of the'revolving suction chambers 58 a counter actuator, generally identified by the numeral 81, is mounted for lateral sliding movement. Each actuator 81 consists of a slidable elongated shaft or rod 82 having an enlarged piston head 83 at one end thereof. The

piston head 83 slides within an enlarged opening 84 (Figs. 1 and 4) defined in the drum 44 at the rear of the chamber 58. The other end of the rod 82 extends through and is slidable in a bearing insert 85 which is set into the wall portion 56 at the other end of the chamber 58. A coil spring 86, positioned about the rod 82, abuts against the insert 85 at its one end and at its other end it abuts against a washer 87 which is fixed to the shaft 82. The coil spring 86 normally tends to urge the actuator 81 in a direction such that the piston 83 will move toward the back end of the enlarged opening 84. A snap ring 88 is placed about the end of the rod 82 which extends beyond the insert 85 to limit this movement.

- When a sheet is fedfrom the bottom of the hopper 68 by the suction applied to a set of sheet feeding ports 68, the sheet is held to the sheet feeding surface 62 of the drum 44, where it coversthe sheet feeding ports 60. The differential in pressures, namely, the low pressure in the chamber 58 and the higher atmospheric pressure acting upon the back of the piston 83, moves the piston 83 and the rod 782 in .oppositionito the force of the spring 86.

The end of the rod 82 carrying the snap ring 88 moves into an extended position-as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. With rod 82 extended inthis manner, it is in position to engage a spoke on the star wheel 80. The rotation of the drum 44 brings the extended end of the rod 82 into engagement with the topmost spoke of the Wheel to engage and actuate it. As the'wheel 80 is actuated, it causes its attached shaft 78 to rotate for a limited disstance to operate the counter 76 through one digit position. V

From the above noted description it should be clear that the feeding of a sheet 'by a set of the suction ports 60, and the resultant covering of these ports 60 by the sheet, will cause thecounter actuator mechanism 81 to move into its actuating position. The mechanism 81 is retained in its actuating position as long as suction is applied to the chamber 58 and the suction ports 68 are covered by the sheet being fed. When the sheet is stripped from the drum 44 in the manner aforementioned, ports 60 are opened once again. The pressure differential acting upon the piston head 83 is substantially reduced to an extent such that spring 86 will retract the rod 82 into its normal position, where it cannot engage the star wheel 80.

Thus, to feed sheets and to count them as they are fed, suction is applied successively and selectively to the sets of ports 60 by way of the associated chambers 58 as they are placed into communication with the suction chamber 20. Under normal conditions, a sheet will be fed each time a set of ports 60 is rotated into sheet feeding position. The counter actuator 81 will operate once for each sheet fed due to the consequent pressure differential acting upon the piston 83.

I Instances may arise when it is necessary that a particular set of sheet feeding ports 60 be prevented from feeding a sheet during a revolution of the drum 44. To disable one or more sets of ports 60, the solenoid 32 may be selectively energized as desired to close the suction valve by moving the valve plate 24 to its oflf position. As mentioned previously, when the valve plate 24 is so moved, no suction will be applied to the communicating chamber or chambers 58 in the rotating drum 44. As a consequence, the drum 44 will rotate without feeding sheets. Neither the application of suction to the chamber 20 nor the rotation of the drum 44 will be changed or affected in any way. When it is desired to feed sheets again, the solenoid 32 1s deenergized. The valve plate 24 then will be moved to its on or open position. Suction then is applied from chamber 20 to each of the rotating chambers 58 and to their corresponding sheet feeding ports 60.

By selectively applying or withholding the available suction to the chambers 58 and the corresponding ports 60, the illustrated apparatus will selectively allow a sheet to be fed or will cause the feeding of a sheet to be omitted, as the case may be. Obviously, therefore, during any given revolution of the drum 44 it is possible that each set of sheets feeding ports 60 will feed a sheet, or by selective operation of the solenoid 32, any one or more of the sets of ports 60 may be caused to omit its sheet feeding function.

The terms suction and vacuum? and the phrase low pressure as employed in various portions of the disclosure are all intended to be synonymous expressions defining a fluid pressure lower than atmospheric.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit of the invention. 'It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by. the scope of the claims appended hereto.

The invention is claimed as follows:

1. In a sheet feeding apparatus, a first member adapted for connection to a suction producing means and having a low-pressure chamber defined therein, a second member adjoining said first member and movable relative thereto, said second member having a plurality of chambers adapted to be brought successively into communicating relation with said first-mentioned chamber as said second member is moved relative thereto, said second member also having sets of sheet feeding ports respectively communicating with said second-mentioned chambers, valve means in said first-mentioned chamber selectively operable to block the application of low pressure to any of said second-mentioned chambers as the latter are brought into communicating relation therewith, said valve means being located close to said second member whereby the opening of said valve means immediately effects a reduction of air pressure within the communicating one of said second-mentioned chambers, counting means to count the sheets fed by said ports, and individual actuator means in each of said second-mentioned chambers movable in response to a reduction of air pressure therein to actuate said counter each time a sheet is fed by the associated sheet feeding ports.

2. In combination in a sheet feeding apparatus, a stationary member having a suction chamber defined therein, means adapted to connect said suction chamber with a suction source, a member rotatable about said station ary member in proximity to said suction chamber, said rotatable member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced chambers defined therein, said spaced chambers each including a set of sheet feeding ports communicating with an outer sheet feeding surface of said rotatable member, whereby rotation of said rotatable member successively places said spaced chambers and corresponding sets of ports in communication with said suction chamber, valve means in said suction chamber located close to said rotatable member, means connected to said valve means for selectively operating the same to prevent certain of said spaced chambers and corresponding sets of ports from communicating with said suction chamber, a sheet counter, and a counter actuator in each of said spaced chambers movable between operative and inoperative positions, each counter actuator normally being in its inoperative position and being movable to its operative position in response to suction in the respective chamber for actuating said counter each time a sheet is fed by the associated set of sheet feeding ports.

3. A device for feeding and counting sheets comprising a rotary sheet feeding member having a cylindrical sheet feeding surface and, a plurality of circumferentially spaced chambers defined in said member adjacent to said sheet feeding surface, said chambers respectively communicating through openings in said member with said sheet feeding surface, stationary means adapted for connection to a suction source and located adjacent to said sheet feeding member for applying suction to said chambers successively as said member rotates, whereby a sheet coming in contact with said surface will be retained against said surface and said openings to which suction is applied to feed the same, a counter for counting each of the sheets fed by said member, and a counter actuator movable in each of said chambers between operative and inoperative positions according to changes of air pressure within its chamber, each of said actuators being normally in said inoperative position and being movable to said operative position in response to said applied suction to actuate said counter each time a sheet is retained against said openings of said chamber in which the same is movable.

4. In a sheet feeding apparatus, a sheet transporting member having a suction chamber defined therein adjacent to the surface of said member and sheet feeding ports communicating with said surface and said chamber, stationary means adapted for connection to a suction source and located adjacent said member to apply suction to said chamber and said ports for feeding sheets, a sheet counter, and an actuator for said counter comprising a piston member movable in said chamber between a normally inoperative position and an operative position in response to changes of air pressure within said suction chamber, thereby to control the sheet count registered by said counter.

5. In a sheet feeding apparatus, a rotatable drum having a suction chamber therein located adjacent to and communicating With the exterior surface of said drum for transporting sheets by suction, stationary means adapted for connection to a suction source for applying suction to said chamber, a sheet counter, and an actuator for said counter including a piston member disposed in said chamber and movable between effective and ineffective positions according to the variations of air pressure within said chamber, thereby to control the sheet count registered by said counter.

6. In a sheet feeding apparatus, a rotatable drum having a plurality of suction chambers therein all located adjacent to and communicating with the exterior surface of said drum for transporting sheets successively from a supply station, means adapted for connection to a suction source for supplying suction selectively to said chambers as they move by the supply station, thereby to control the feeding of sheets, a sheet counter, and a plurality of actuators for said counter respectively disposed in said supply chambers and movable successively into cooperable relation with said counter after passing said supply station, each of said actuators being adapted to move between effective and inelfective positions with respect to said counter according to the variations of air pressure within its suction chamber, whereby the sheet count registered by said counter will correspond to the sheets actually fed by said apparatus.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 780,262 Bishop Jan. 17, 1905 886,793 Gibbs May 5, 1908 1,023,138 Dulin Apr. 16, 1912 1,064,772 Richards June 17, 1913 1,615,522 Sheats Jan. 25, 1927 1,700,365 Broadmeyer Ian. 29, 1929 1,976,893 Shomaker Oct. 16, 1934 2,255.084 Pflanze Sept. 9, 1941 

